Is the word "interesting" an insult ?

Question

One of my friends showed me her new modeling portfolio.
When asked what I thought of it I told her they were "interesting" & that she is very attractive.
She didnt say it to my face but apparently she is annoyed no end that I called her photos "interesting"
Since when is the word "interesting" an insult ?

I think she was annoyed because she knows me really well and I usually use the word interesting when I find some weird or off kilter.

Answer 1

It's not insulting, but maybe she got pissed at the way you said it.

Remember the saying; It's not what you say, it's how you say it.

Answer 2

It is a word which is currently in vogue as an insult. It will in time sound hopelessly old fashioned. It may be intended as an insult, but it is up to the person at the receiving end whether or not (s)he is offended. If you are confident and secure as a person, then it is unlikely that you would take umbrage. However, another word used as an insult is "spastic" and I have always found this grossly offensive, as it is mocking people who are unfortunate enough to be born with cerebral palsy. I haven't heard it used for a while and hope that this word too may die out as an insult. I regret the demise of the word gay in English to be used with its proper meaning. I'm glad to report that "gai" is still in popular use in French with no connotations of homosexuality.

Answer 3

Is she from the UK? People here often say that word when they don't want to say anything negative (i.e. what they really think) or to tell a direct lie ('Oh, lovely!") but still want to be polite
e.g. Q."Do you like my cooking/book/house/idea/photos?"
A. "It's/they're interesting."
It's a bit of a running joke actually - a sort of code, not with everyone of course but an awful lot of people will quietly smile if, when they ask did you enjoy someones (someone else's that is)play or party or a meeting, or new modeling portfolio, you reply, "It was.... interesting..."
Or as others have suggested she may have wanted you to say, "They are THE most beeyoooooootiful photos I have ever seen!!!!! You look absolutely stunning darling. Amazing!!! Better than Kate Moss any day. You will be the next big thing!!" but I'm not surprised you didn't because normal people don't talk like that.

Answer 4

You were probably meaning it just as it was an interesting picture, she probably wanted to hear words like "Glamourous" and "Amazing" and "Excellent". It's not your fault, she set up her own expectations, not you.In my experience,

it is kind of an insult these days, it's a way of saying they don't like something without actually saying it, which may be why she reacted the way she did. Though it's even more in some cultures it's even more so, I believe its Japan has a curse that translated says "May you live in Interesting times", apparently a horrible insult and curse.

My suggestion is talk to her about it, telling her you literally meant it was an interesting picture, and nothing derogatory by it.

Answer 5

Interesting can be taken as a good thing or as a sign of "I have more to say but don't want to say it for fear you might take it wrong". Often times interesting means that you are aware that there is something that is odd or unsettling to you but that over all you feel ok about the whole subject. So rather than be overly critical and take something apart pointing out good and bad you say interesting so that you can get past the point of being asked an opinion that you aren't sure you want to share.

Answer 6

It isn't, but the word has a lot of different meanings and even though I think you were perfectly clear, she didn't and took it the wrong way. Interesting normally means that someone has a slight or small curiousity in something. It has also taken on the meaning that would replace the phrase "those are nice but I'm not really into them" or "ho-hum these are boring" which would be it's opposite or antonynm. My boyfriend uses the word instead of strange which she could have also taken your comment for.

Answer 7

I use the word interesting when I either don't know what to say, or I don't want to hurt someone's feelings.

I think your friend would have rathered you gushed and ooh'ed and aah'ed over her photos. She wanted more, much more, than you gave her. You did just fine. Don't worry about it - interesting is a good word.

Answer 8

You know what you meant. If you didn't mean it as an insult, then it wasn't.
First of all, if she didn't want to hear what you had to say, she shouldn't have asked.
Second, if she has questions about what you meant, she should ask you, not someone else. Misunderstandings can only be rectified between the people who are having the misunderstanding.

Answer 9

Well, when it comes to modeling I'd say that yes, "interesting" is not a flattering comment. Reserve it for the time when you might look over someone's dissertation. Someone who has their picture taken to objectify their beauty doesn't want an "intellectual" response.

Answer 10

That word used on pics she had of herself was not a compliment to her but maybe to the photographer himself. Beautiful, incredible, amazing, all words to describe the woman in the pic. "Interesting", although you didnt mean it to be, is usually a way of saying something nice without really meaning it.

Answer 11

Your friend wanted you to say the pictures were beautiful, not interesting. Interesting is not an insult but your friend doesnt want to be interesting she wants to be beautiful.